May 12, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) stands on the court during warmups against the Minnesota Timberwolves during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

NBA Players React to Kevon Looney's Heartfelt Warriors Post

Originally posted on Golden State Warriors on SI
By Will Despart | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 2:10 PM ET

Kevon Looney's decision to leave the Golden State Warriors in favor of a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans sent shockwaves throughout the league last week. Looney was a key member of three of the Warriors' four titles during their dynasty, in addition to being a fan favorite who was with the team for a decade.

Looney penned an emotional tribute for The Players Tribune commemorating his time with Golden State, releasing the long and heartfelt message in connection with an Instagram post on Sunday.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Players' Tribune (@playerstribune)

"This was not an easy decision for me," Looney wrote. "I always said that if the money was even close, I’m gonna choose to stay. This time around, though, it wasn’t something where the Warriors made me a solid, competitive offer, and I would be able to pick between the two … or maybe give the Warriors a bit of a discount. That wasn’t even an option this time, unfortunately. That offer never really came.

"Throughout my 10 years with Golden State, there was never a second when I wanted to be anything other than a Warrior. A lot of seasons, no lie, it’d be the trade deadline and I’d be at my house just absolutely sweatin’ it out."

“I’m Bay Area for life, no matter where I go.”

—Kevon Looney in his goodbye letter to the Warriors via @PlayersTribune

Forever a real one. Forever a champ. Forever a franchise favorite. pic.twitter.com/gVuRNqRstg
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) July 6, 2025

"Just straight up looking at the clock every five minutes that afternoon. Hoping, praying, that the hands on my clock would magically move faster, and that my phone would never ring."

Looney now heads to New Orleans, where he'll provide invaluable leadership as a three-time NBA Champion and one of the league's top rebounders.

This article first appeared on Golden State Warriors on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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